Worldwide giraffe celebration Thursday

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Jun 18, 2018 at 1:00 PM

PORT CLINTON — This Thursday, African Safari Wildlife Park will join forces with zoological institutions across the globe for World Giraffe Day to raise awareness of threatened giraffe populations in Africa.

This will be the fifth year of this dedicated worldwide awareness day.

The main goal is to highlight the importance of the people who live with Giraffe in Africa each day.

World Giraffe Day is organized by the Giraffe Conversation Foundation (GCF), a nonprofit dedicated to the study of wild giraffe in projects that engage local communities.

"June 21 is the longest day of the year, so it's very fitting that we take this time to celebrate the world's tallest mammal," said Kelsey Keller, the acting general manager at the Park. "Our guests and staff love the giraffes, so we're happy to give back."

Keller added that the wild giraffe populations is estimated to have dropped from 120,000 to 80,000 between 1998 and 2012. Threats include poaching, habitat loss and civil conflict.

The park will be celebrating World Giraffe Day all week long. Guests can mention code “GIRAFFE” to receive a $55 carload admission good for six people in one vehicle now through Sunday.

To learn more about the Giraffe Conservation Foundation and its efforts around the globe, visit giraffeconservation.org.

Billed as the Midwest's only drive-thru Safari, African Safari Wildlife Park is located at 267 S. Lightner Road in Port Clinton. It is open daily through Dec 2. For more information, visit www.AfricanSafariWildlifePark.com.